Audencia's Alumni Magazine

Uncertainty reigns as the clock is ticking for Great Britain’s divorce from the European Union. Jean-Baptiste Harguindéguy, professor of political science at the Pablo de Olavide University of Seville, answers our questions.

Interviewed on 07/03/19.

Given the complexity of implementing Brexit, will it ever actually happen?

Jean-Baptiste Harguindéguy: I remain somewhat sceptical about the reality of Brexit. Every day we are witnessing further twists and turns. In 2016, voting was the easy part. However, people were never told about the reality of the challenges involved in the split. The implementation process is turning out to be more complex than originally expected. This is going to prove costly for the United Kingdom. Wandering into the Brexit minefield has cast a spirit of doubt over the British people.

Can we expect to see European Union citizens leaving on mass?

Jean-Baptiste Harguindéguy: There appears to be three main strategies for continentals residing in Great Britain: either to remain in the United Kingdom by requesting British nationality, bearing in mind that we do not know whether compliance conditions will change in the future; or to leave Great Britain and head for one of the continent’s other major financial centres; or to set their sights on Ireland, particularly Dublin, adopting a “one foot in and one foot out” approach. Leaving aside those who have already gone, the majority are in a wait-and-see phase. They are lining up their contacts on the continent as a backup, choosing not to pre-emp potential political decisions with as yet unknown consequences.

Will the United Kingdom be closing its doors to graduates from the continent? Are there other areas that could compete with London’s unique appeal?

Jean-Baptiste Harguindéguy: What matters is knowing whether those drawn to Great Britain are hoping to develop a short, medium or long-term plan. Clearly, the administrative procedures involved will not be the same. Indeed, other countries may end up becoming more attractive for these overqualified graduates from mainland Europe. Those same countries will be attempting to recoup any human capital in the wake of Brexit: the Netherlands, Frankfurt and Brussels are trying to attract corporations to set up their head offices with them instead. Paris is doing quite well out of it too with its one-stop-shop system. As for Spain, the crisis in Catalonia coupled with multi-layered Spanish administration have tended to weaken its position in this competition.

Guy-Pierre Chomette, Editor

On 23 June 2016, some 51.9% of British voters expressed their desire to leave the European Union. So, what does Brexit mean for European university finances? This was the question put to Robert Bowen (IMM 12).

“We live in uncertain times,” explains 35-year-old Bowen, lecturer at Swansea University in Wales since September 2017. He also holds the position of visiting lecturer at Audencia on the IMM programme, teaching Marketing in the Digital Age. In his view, the vote to leave the EU may harm the long-term sustainability of European finances which are currently awarded to British universities.

“Less funding would mean fewer research programmes and a reduction in teaching-research posts,” he outlines. “No longer being able to access European research funding also stands to undermine the partnerships formed between European universities”. According to Bowen, this is already the case.

“The current situation provides little incentive for European researchers and professors to establish projects with their British counterparts,” he says, who are now forced to look to new sources for future funding. “The British government has said they will compensate for this fall in credit research but there are no guarantees.” It is therefore hard to make any long-term plans.

This loss of funding may also cause British universities to forego any construction projects they may have been planning. “The new campus at Swansea University was built just three years ago. Its construction was subsidised by the European Union to the tune of 450 million pounds. This project would never have seen the light of day had it not been for this grant,” he explains.

An impact on cultural diversity

This does not only pose an economic threat. The mobility of students and faculty members across Europe may also be affected by Brexit, namely with regard to the Erasmus programme. “A number of my colleagues are heading for Europe this year. This might well be their last opportunity,” Bowen ponders, regretting the fact he hadn’t applied for one himself. In his view, Brexit may also affect the wealth of cultural diversity. There is also the issue of what it has done to the UK’s now somewhat “tarnished” image. That said, he has no plans on leaving his homeland.

Florence Falvy, Editor

This has come to be a defining moment in any academic course. In early February, 816 recipients were honoured at the graduation ceremony.  For the first time ever, this joint event brought together students from Audencia’s specialised, international and executive education programmes.   

Congratulations to our 816 new alumni! They all came along to join in the excitement at Audencia’s graduation ceremony held on Saturday 2 February, 2019 at the Zenith concert hall in Nantes.

What’s more, for the first time ever, “several different programmes were brought together under one roof,” causing it to be an unprecedented event which Dan Evans, Director of Programmes, is proud to have helped spearhead. Bachelor & BBA, Audencia SciencesCom, International Master, Specialised Master and Full-time & Executive MBA. All the graduands proudly walked across the main stage. A time to don their “badge of allegiance” as well as showcase all the “diversity” that exists within “the great Audencia family.”

“Recognition for all that hard work”

This graduation ceremony was marked by several stand-out moments. To begin with, the Nantes Grande Ecole Choir & Orchestra which got the celebrations off with a bang. Following this, the professors and programme directors took it in turns to take to the stage as they delivered their speeches aimed at honouring the graduates of the moment, particularly when it came to handing out the prizes: 7 students won the Prize for Best Dissertation, 11 won the Best Graduating Student Award, 6 were awarded the Daring Prize and prizes were also awarded to 16 class-year ambassadors. Featuring amongst them was Isabelle Mauriquot, a graduate of the Specialised Master SMED (Marketing Strategy in the Digital Age).

“Really well organised with great momentum… singing, dancing, delighted graduates, proud relatives and friends, a delicious buffet, what a fabulous afternoon!” she beams.

“I found it very moving and rewarding: it is recognition for all that hard work,” so proud to be graduating from a school which champions “diversity to such an extent, from its courses to the students, nationalities and speakers etc.”

The cocktail party was another of the event’s high points. During the evening, the 816 graduates, as well as the 1,000 guests, were invited onto the stage to wind up the event. And how could we forget the students who took part in the mortarboard throwing tradition!

See you back here in 2020

The next graduation ceremony is now set for 2020. Please note that this time the Grande Ecole programme will be joining in the festivities! This will provide a great opportunity to further expand Audencia’s circle of diversity.

Florence Falvy, Editor

Audencia’s international scope has long been seen as one of its major strengths.

Over the years, it is fair to say that the school has managed to widen its reach beyond the French borders, welcoming an ever-increasing number of student intakes and successfully forming international partnerships. Among the latest to date are those recently formed in both West and East Africa.

Heading out to Africa

In March, two unprecedented education and research agreements were signed by Audencia in Africa. One was with the University of Ghana and the other with the United States International University Africa in Kenya.

What’s more, in Kenya, the signing took place within the framework of Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Nairobi on 13 and 14 March, 2019.

These partnerships will pave the way for Audencia to enhance cooperation in terms of research and will also facilitate exchanges between universities. However, this is not all!  Joint programmes will also be established between the institutions and a double diploma will be created, enabling Ghanaian undergraduates to earn Audencia’s Master of Science in Food and Agribusiness Management.

These alliances with Africa also represent a major milestone when it comes to developing the Collaborative Institute for Global Agribusiness, launched by Audencia in 2018 alongside three other founding members: the Brazilian Agribusiness Association, the ESPAE Graduate School of Management in Ecuador and the consulting corporation TCAI Tejon Communication & Action International Ltda in Brazil.

Discovering China

From 16 to 23 March, first-year students following the preparatory classes in management flew out to China. This trip enabled them to gain first-hand experience of the Chinese culture and business world, meet up with French students and discover Hong Kong and its buildings. This tour, spanning several days, provided them with the opportunity to visit the campus at Shenzhen Audencia Business School (SABS). This was an essential stop in light of the fact that Shenzhen has been declared a special economic zone (SEZ) and is now likened to Silicon Valley.

Finally, the students also got to take part in two of the Chinese legs of the “Around the World” event: Audencia Alumni across the globe. The purpose of this event was to meet up with alumni across the world in just eight days.

These voyages of discovery in all four corners of the world, coupled with these international partnerships, are enabling Audencia’s network to keep growing as it continues to prove nothing short of inspirational.

Géraldine Lance, Editor

On the occasion of the General Assembly, held on 13 March 2019, the Audencia Alumni association was granted new status with the aim of gaining in agility and facilitating its governance.

The century-old Audencia Alumni association, is a key player helping to mobilise Audencia graduates within its vibrant and friendly network. In 2012, the association and the school brought their activities together so as to boost and optimise shared resources which are dedicated to developing the network. Transferring the association’s operational resources to the school has allowed the alumni department to see its workforce strengthened from four to eight members of staff. The membership fee – a one-time payment made when students enter Audencia – has made it possible to quadruple the annual budget, with a simpler, more efficient system for collecting funds. This has provided the network with the financial stability required to ensure its long-term development.

Since 2012, there has been operational parity between the alumni association and Audencia in determining how to develop the network. The association’s missions focus on budget allocation, the drawing up of strategic plans and the mobilisation of graduates. The implementation of the yearly action plan is taken care of by the alumni department.

All this has led to careful consideration on establishing the best possible way of running the association and changing its status, as well as considering the changing patterns of voluntary involvement over recent years, with alumni members keener to become involved in initiating projects as opposed to joining governing bodies. In addition, alumni expect to see more proactivity and agility with activities offered on a more local level.

The joint governance of the association –Committee and Supervisory Board– is now making way for a single body, the Board of Administration, consisting of up to 12 members and featuring at least one student representative. To reflect the diversity of our Audencia graduates, the plan is to incorporate alumni from a range of programmes onto the Board of Administration.

The motion for the amendment of the statutes was adopted by unanimous vote, during a secret ballot and the new Board of Administration was elected. Alongside Flavie Lorre (GE 98 - President), Anne-Sophie Ferry (GE 10), Ataf Nabli (GE 01), Jérôme Cador (GE 10), Ulysse Silva (GE 20) and Christian Hily (GE 99), who have been reappointed, they are joined by François Macé (GE 79), Jérôme Pasquet (MBA 06), Tristan Pelloux (GE 15) and Laure Bernuau-Diakov (ExecMBA 18) new to the board.

“This development has put us on the right track and will enable us to take projects onto the next level as we serve the network and gain agility. Furthermore, we would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all those out there wishing to join us in helping Audencia Alumni continue to thrive and grow.” Flavie Lorre concludes.

Access the General Assembly presentation (containing the operational report and plans for 2019).

Guy-Pierre Chomette, Editor

Spurred on by his desire for a change of scene, with a longing to leave behind the hustle and bustle of Parisian life, Julien Bavencoffe (GE 11) decided to hit the road for a seven-month tour around Europe in a campervan.

After seven years spent living in Paris, Julien was ready for a calmer, more serein pace of life but he also wanted a much-needed taste of freedom. In October 2017, the idea of a road trip came to him. Before his thirtieth birthday, Julien was keen on ticking off his wish list visits to all of the countries in Europe.

Fast-forward seven months and he’d already purchased the campervan so, along with his friend Jane, they hit the road. On the programme:  discovering or re-visiting various countries, but above all getting to know our neighbours. This itinerant journey was to span 23,000 kilometres, heading out across Ireland, Scotland and England, as well as Scandinavia, Denmark, Germany, the Baltic states, Poland, Hungary and the Slovak Republic, then onto Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania before finally rounding off their trip in Italy.

“The campervan lifestyle is immensely liberating.  We would pitch up wherever took our fancy, staying for however long we pleased.”

Julien has taken away many unforgettable memories from this trip. In particular, mental snapshots of the landscapes in Norway and Scotland, as well as those of his thirtieth birthday celebrations in Croatia. This proved to be a charming nod to his time spent in Zagreb during his exchange term, a place he hadn’t returned to since. In short, Julien was very moved by the kind-heartedness of the Albanians and the Romanians; their warm welcome will stay with him forever.

“These countries are not typical tourist destinations but we were welcomed there with open arms. The people were interested in us and our project. The Albanians and Romanians are very pleasant folk, they are so friendly and delighted to stop and chat.”

It wasn’t easy coming back to a more sedentary lifestyle

“This road trip has changed us, it has coloured how we see things now.  Being comfortable is no more the be all and end all. We take the time to go about things, making every moment count. From now on, we are supporters of slow tourism, for instance it’s put me off travelling be plane. When I got back to my flat in Paris, which by the way is a great deal bigger than the campervan, I felt hemmed in, like a prisoner, with a lack of freedom and enough space to move around.” 

This trip has provided Julien with a sense of meaning and he would now like to carry this forward into his professional life.

“I hope to work in the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), either by joining an organisation which works in this sector, or by setting up a project of my own.” 

What’s more, since change rarely happens in isolation, and as Julien and Jane also felt the time was right to go back to their roots, at the beginning of April they will be setting up home in the “Cité des Ducs” district of Nantes.

We wish them both every success and many more wonderful adventures to come!

Discover

Amandine Luce, on behalf of the Audencia Alumni Team

Operating under the auspices of the Fondation de France (“Foundation of France”), the Audencia Foundation is pursuing its mission to support the school. In 2019, it plans to step up its scholarships programme.

The Audencia Foundation was created a decade ago, spearheaded by its three founders – L’Oréal, the CIC Ouest and Noble Age (now LNA) – with the aim of assisting Audencia carry out strategic projects in the field of research, curricular innovation, and social and cultural openness. It supports the school in enhancing both its national scope, in France, as well as extending its international reach.

At the last executive board meeting held in January, the administrators of the foundation (corporates, alumni, professors and the Director General of Audencia) congratulated the board on reaching their target of raising a total €1,250,000 through donations in 2018.

“Launched back in 2016 the fundraising scheme, which calls on graduates to make donations, is gaining momentum,” says Françoise Marcus, Chief Delegate of the Audencia Foundation.

“In 2018 we had a total of 420 private contributors compared to 183 in 2017. Above and beyond the sums collected, we are gradually seeing a culture of giving take root and that is exactly what we are aiming for.”

In 2018, we also witnessed the setting up of two new Chairs, one to fund innovation, the second on territorial intelligence, and also the funding of a learning expedition to the CES in Las Vegas by the founding members of the CADO club, the Club Audencia des Dirigeants de l’Ouest, which brings together business leaders in the west of France.

For 2019, the fund’s target has been set at €1,100,000. Regarding its scope of action, apart from the traditional funding of research projects, curricular innovation and grants for the expansion of social and cultural openness, the foundation wishes to think big and set up a much more aspirational scholarships programme, with a focus on the hybridisation of skills. The purpose here is to help stimulate responsible, value-generating innovation. Naturally, this programme is turned towards social philanthropy, particularly in support of those who are not eligible for state funding but who are nevertheless facing financial hardship.

“The school needs to continually strive to strengthen the role it plays as a force for change regarding social mobility,” stresses Françoise Marcus.

The total amount awarded for living allowances and school fees stands to reach a figure of €300,000 in 2019

The foundation is also focussing on another major project for 2019: helping Audencia remain at the cutting edge by means of its forward-thinking approach to skills and the training of tomorrow’s leaders by creating a specific mechanism.

“This is an essential part of the school’s unique brand that we need to hold onto,” adds the Chief Delegate of the Audencia Foundation.

2018 Annual Report

Guy-Pierre Chomette, Editor

From 21 to 24 January this year, Audencia hosted its first Career Connections Week, co-produced by management teams from Audencia’s Corporate & Alumni Relations Department associated with Communications and the Grande Ecole: an all-new format providing the ideal setting for undergraduates on the Grande Ecole programme, company representatives and alumni to mingle, interact with each other and make professional contacts. 

Featuring among our corporate representatives, Audencia had the honour of welcoming Delphine François Chiavarini (GE 97), Vice-President of the Moen Incorporated group. Today, she is a French expat living and working in Cleveland in the USA, one of our 3,400 Audencia alumni now based abroad. She hadn’t returned to the school since her graduation but had a keen interest in becoming part of our Career Connections Week. 

So, in late January, Delphine François Chiavarini spoke during the roundtable meeting held in English on “First job: How to start your career on the right foot!”. It should be pointed out that Delphine’s track-record in this field is awe-inspiring: after an early career working in France, she went on to spend the next six years in Switzerland before spreading her wings to work in the United States, where she has been since 2014.

This accomplished businesswoman, leading her company on the global stage, certainly made quite an impact on our students!

Delphine, why choose to share your story with our students? What did this moment mean to you?

“Well, I hadn’t been back to Audencia in 22 years! I think what drew me back to the school was a certain degree of curiosity but more the desire to share my knowledge, bring my own personal take and talk about my own experience.  I wanted to interact with the students who must be asking themselves a great deal of questions!”

Graduates returning to Audencia do so in order to shine a light on what the business world is really like and help build career paths, but also to reconnect with their school and those involved in it. They also want to get to know the upcoming generations who may well go on to become their future employees!

So, dear Alumni, why not give it a go yourself?

Lauranne Heaume, on behalf of the Communciations Team